Construction of load binders



June 10, 1947. y, 5 Du 2,422,001

CONSTRUCTION OF LOAD BINDERS Filed Jan. 4, 1946 //Ul/EN 7-01? VoTAw. S. DURBIN roe/var La Patented June 10, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,422,001 1 CONSTRUCTION OF oan mouas VotawS. 1)urbin,"Ladue Village, Mo.

Application January 4, 1946, Serial No. (i38,949

5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in construction of load binders, and more particularly to devices of the class utilized for application of final securing tension to a chain or similar flexible tie element, when applied over or around timber, logs, poles, and the like. The present improvements embrace certain novel features of fabrication and construction, and constitute certain improvements over the disclosure of a copending application, Serial No. 618,224, filed by this applicant September 24, 1945, and entitled Load. binders.

For a number of years load binders have been prevalently constructed of malleable castings as constituting the major elements of the lever system. Due to, likelihood of internal flaws or latent defects, the older type of binders have exhibited a tendency to unpredictable breakage and a hazard of deformation of jaws, pivot, ears, etc. The present application, similarly to Serial No. 618,224, accordingly objectively eliminates the weaknesses and shortcomings of load binders of malleable type,

In applicants earlier development, which serves fully to overcome the principal defects of malleable load binders, the design was nevertheless such that the assembly presented an angulate handle and jaw section, thus resulting in a surface, particularly of. the handle, which is apt to abrade the hands and gloves of the user, and which disadvantageously presented the plate elements exteriorly rather than interiorly of the channels assembled to form the principal lever of the load binder. Applicants earlier improvements also presented certain relatively minor disadvantages in welding the assembly, which have been objectively overcome in the present design.

Further general objects of the invention include an entire or virtual elimination of castingS, and an increase in strength or resistance to deformation throughout the assembly.

Yet an additional important object of the improvements is attained in load binders in which the principal elements of the lever system are formed of a pair of structural shapes such as channels, and in which the channels are imited as by welding and certain plate elements assembled into the channels in such manner as to be substantially concealed, and. with such shaping and conformity of parts to be. manually engaged, as to present a smooth, rounded exterior surface free of any snagging or abrading tendencies. I

Further objects and advantages will appear i from. the following detailed description of apresently preferred assembly embodying the invention, particularly when considered in connection withthe drawing appended hereto and forming a part hereof, and in which: 7

Figs. 6 and"? aretransverse sectional elevations, taken respectively along lines 5ii and 1-? of- Fig, 2;

Fig. -8 is a longitudinal section, fragmentary in nature, .illustrating a portion of the handle and a portion of the jaw structure, all as taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation as taken along line 9-.9 of Fig. 2, and

,Fig. 10 is a sectional view of one of the clevis pivotsor ears, ina slightly modified form.

Referring now by characters of reference to the -drawing,.the ,major elements of the assembly include a handle or operating lever generally indicated .at' ill, a tongue generally indicated at I] and which, as will appear, is preferably connected through a swivel joint to one end of the tensioning element exemplified by a chain C. The third major element of the assembly consists of a clevis. generally designated at. l2.

The handle or lever 10 consists of a pair of specially formed channel members 13 and It, eachof which is characterized by a central planar web Hi from which project as integral portions, a pair of marginal, preferably right angular flanges l6. It isan extreme preference to round over the exterior zones of juncture of the flanges and web, in order thatthe finished handle shall present a smooth, snag-Tree, non-abrading exterior. The two channel elements l3 and I4 are welded together with their flanges in edge-abutting adjacence, and with the flanges projected inwardly, or toward each other, and mating in substantially a median plane through each edge of the resulting handle ill. Welding maybe effected in eachof a series of zones indicatedby the numerals I]. This adjacent relation of the two channels is carried inwardly, beginning at the free end of the handle, thence over the major portion of its length, beyond which the two channels diverge somewhat, and are thence extended in parallel adjacence to form spaced parallel jaw portions 20 and 2!. The jaw portions are further characterized by angularly defiected parts as will best appear from Fig. 1, so that the handle and jaw assembly as a unit, is of so-called dog-leg shape whenviewed inside elevation. Furthermore, as will appear from Fig. 2, part of the mouth 23 formed between the jaws 20 and 2i, is of increasing width, for added strength in this zone, the portion of maximum width being substantially in the zone of the tongue pivot, later described, whence, proceeding toward the open end of the mouth, the jaws are again somewhat reduced in width.

An important feature of th'e handle assembly, particularly by preference the jaw portions, consists of apair' of metal inserts'or plates, each of which'may be formed of a flat'steel stock of a substantial gauge. These are'indicated' at 24 in the'jaw 2|, and at 25 in the jaw 28'. It will appear, as exemplifying a, present preference, that the inserts 24 and 25 each conforms in'shape to the space between the opposite'flanges it of those parts of the channels forming th'e jaws, and in such manner that the inserts fully occupy this space in each jaw, and in distinction over the earlier development of applicant, are presented interiorly, rather than exteriorly of the structure, due'toth'e' present facing, rather'than back-toback relation of the channels;

Alth'ough the extent of projection of the plate or insert elements lengthwise toward or into the handle proper, may be considered optional, it is preferred to extend both inserts 24 and 25 into the fully enclosed handle chamber an appreciable distance, and a still further preference to extend one of these elements; say member 24, beyond the other, for added strength and rigidity, since it is common practice to augment leverage, in closing the binder, by'inserting'a length of pipe or tubing over the handle.

As a furtherpreferenca'thegauge of material forming the plate inserts 24 and 25 is so selected that the outer surface of each is substantially flush with the 'outer'margins of'the flanges I6,

thus providing what is in effect a solid structure characterizedby a smooth exterior and lack of protuberances or projections. The inserts are assembled to "the channel e'lement's'by welding for example, in the several zones indicated at 26. Although preferred for best appearance so as to conform the depth of the channels'and gauge of the plates 24 and 25, that the latter lie flush with the edges of the channel flanges, it will be understood as practically advantageous, in order to meet differing specifications and unusual tension requirements, to vary the gauge of the plates 24 and 25 without necessarily varyingthe channel structure. Thus, for example, a minor increment of gauge of the plate elements will, without other changes, enable an increase in permissive tension loading of the assembly, from 6,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds. It will thus appear that the composite or fabricated assembly lends itself admirably to structural flexibility to meet different trade demands.

In the embodiment shown th'e clevis I2 consists of a loop member including arms 21, and a bridge 30 apertured at 3| to receive a rod or shank 32. There is secured," as'by welding to the element 32, a button 33. 'The button is characterized by an exterlorly convex shape, and the internal surface of bridge 30 is similarly shaped in order to provide for better load distribution over the bight or bridge 30. The element 32 is preferably integral with eye 34 which may be forged, and which may be connected through link L to a hook H, thence to chain C.

Operative attachment of the clevis I2 is provided for by a pair of stub pins 35 and 38, commonly referred to in the trade as ears. These may be if desired, suitably headed, as in the preferred construction shown, the inner most end of each of the ears 35 and 36 being provided with a flared enlargement or head welded as at 31 into a flared recess therefor in the adjacent plate insert 2Q or 25. It will be noted that in these regions, the webs of the channels are apertured to receive the respective ears 35 and 36. It will be further noted as highly advantageous, in fact necessary, that the ears, particularly their heads, terminate short of, or at least do not extend inwardly beyond a flush relation with the inside surfaces of the jaws 20 and 2|, so as to permit free and unobstructed movement of the tongue H across the mouth, as will later'better appear, It will also be noted that the general arrangement of pivots in the present assembly, these including the ears 35 and 36, is such that these pin elements may if desired, be welded into place incident to assembly of the clevis l2 without necessarily requiring any deformation of the latter with usual weakening effects.

It is of course a preference for strength, that the ears be permanently metallically united to the plates. While for convenience in assembly and'minirnization of costs, this is adequately accomplished by welding, in certain larger sizes of binders the assembly will exhibit a higher tensile test and a greater safety factor if the ears and plates be formed as a unitary forging, each such forging including one ear such as 35'-A, and the adjacent plate insert such as 24-A' (see Fig. 10.)

The tongue, generally heretofore designated at H, is characterized by a pair of adjacent parallel leg portions extending into and operating along or acrossthe mouth 23. Besides the parallel legs 40, the tongue isso' formed as to provide a loop' or bight 4! at its outermost end, the latter being apertured at 42 for the reception of the rod portion @3 integral with an eye 44, the latter being connected through a link L to the opposite hook H, thence to the chain end 0 which is opposite that connected to the clevis as heretofore noted. A button 45 may be related to the bridge or bight 4| of the tongue in exactly the same manner as shown and heretofore described as a part of the clevis assembly.

Functional connection of the tongue II to the operating lever as a part of the toggle linkage, is cared for by a tongue pin 46, the preferred assembly location of which is, in a general sense, intermediate the length of the jaws but distinctly laterally offset from the major axis of the operating portion of the handle, as will appear from Fig. 1.' The pin 46 is preferably headed as shown, and is set into a countersunk recess 41 in one of the channels, thence traverses the plates and bridges the mouth 23, extending through a drilled opening 48 therefor in the pivoted end of the tongue. Preferably this pivot is secured against rotation in the jaws or mouth, by providing a countersunk portion similar to 41 and welding the opposite endof the pin in the zone 50 of the opposite channel.

2,42aoo1 The manner of usage is, but for improved fa to-rs o sa iety, added strength operative convepience, essentially similar to, that of do imp inde It ay he. notes w ver o brevity, that the hooks arefsecure to the otherwise ,free ends of chainwhich, for .example, is passed'about a vehicleload of logs, timbers, poles or the like, the levers of the binder arranged substantially as in Fig. 1. The handle L9 is then drawn in a clockwise direction Fi '1) with the obvious sit s-t- Of d splaci in opposite directions along the line of pull, the two pivot axes, one identified with the ears 35-36 and the other with the bridge or tongue pin 46, in a manner to tension the chain C. As will appear from the comparison of Figs. 2 and 3, it is seen that the present device provides an entirely safe over-centered relation of its toggle arms, the latter consisting of jaws, tongue and clevis.

It will have appeared that the structure now described possesses all advantages of that disclosed in applicants earlier application above identified, and in addition, simplifies welding procedure and results in a structure having greater facility for variation of strength and weight with a minimum added tooling cost; further, that the externally rounded channels and their assembly to result in an internally chambered structure, conduoe to minimum weight and maximum strength. This improved structure results in an exterior conformity of lever which is nonabrading to the hands of the user, and is importantly free of snags, projections or the" like, besides making for better appearance.

Although the device has been described by making detailed reference to a single exemplary embodiment, the detail of description is not to be understood as restrictive in nature, inasmuch as numerous changes may be made within the intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a load binder, an operating handle consisting of a pair of channel members each con sisting of a web and opposite marginal flanges, the channel members being assembled with their flanges in adjacence over a major portion of the handle length, and with the channels in spaced parallelism therebeyond, the latter portion being constructed and spaced to form jaws with a mouth therebetween, a plate in each channel member extending over the jaw-forming portion thereof, and outwardly of the jaw portion at least to the zone of adjacence of the channel members, an ear carried by each plate near the outer end of the jaw, and consisting of a pin metallically joining the adjacent plate and extending through and outwardly beyond the channel so that the ears coact to constitute a clevis pivot, a clevis pivotally engaging the ears, a chain connection to the clevis, a pivot pin bridging the mouth at a distance inwardly thereof beyond the ears, and neing welded into one of the jaws, a tongue, one end of which operates upon the pivot pin, and which works across the mouth between the jaws, and a chain connection at the opposite end of the tongue.

2. In a load binder, an elongate lever forming an operating handle and consisting of a pair of channel members each characterized by substantially planar web portions and marginal flanges at right angles to the web portion, the channel members having their flanges abutting and welded together, the channels diverging beyond the. handle proper, thence being extended into spaced jaw-forming portions, filler plates in the jaw forming portions; ears permanently united to the filler'plates, one on each jaw and projecting externally of the outer jaw extremities, a tongue pin bridging the jaws and secured in placeinto at least one of the jaws, a tongue pivoted to the last said pin, a chain connection on the tongue, a clevis and a chain connection to the clevis, the clevis being pivotally related to the ears.

3- n a load bi d r, a elongate le fq s an operating handle and consisting of a pair of channel members each characterized by substantially planar web portions and marginal flanges at right angles to the web portion, the channel members having their flanges abutting and welded together, the channels diverging beyond the handle proper, thence being extended into substantially parallel spaced jaw-forming portions of appreciably greater width than the handle proper, filler plates in the jaw forming portions, ears permanently united to the filler plates, oneon each jaw and projecting externally of the outer jaw extremities, a tongue pin bridging the jaws in an intermediate zone of the jawforming portions and secured in place into at least one of the jaws, a tongue pivoted to the last said pin, a chain connection on the tongue, a clevis and a chain connection to the clevis, the clevis being pivotally related to the ears, and located outwardly of the jaws.

In a load binder, a handle formed of two structural channels and a metal plate element in each channel, the channels having their flanges welded together in abutting and flush relation, to form the major portion of the length of the handle, and beyond such major portion diverging thence extending into spaced parallel jaw portions, a tongue pin bridging the jaw portions of the channels and plates in a zone intermediate the jaw length and welded securely to at least one of the jaw portions, ears forming a clevis pivot, each ear consisting of a pin extended outwardly of an extremity of one of the jaw portions of the plates, the pins each being integrally joined to one of the respective plate elements, a tongue pivotally engaging the tongue pin, a clevis pivotally engaging the ears, and chain connections respectively to the tongue and clevis.

5. In a load binder, an operating handle consisting of a lever of dog-leg type formed of a pair of channel members, each characterized by a substantially planar web portion and parallel marginal flanges normal to the web portion, the flanges being welded to each other with the flanges projecting toward each other and inwardly of the handle, the said channel members being welded into adjacence over the greater part of the length thereof, but being divergent beyond such zone of adjacence, thence extended into spaced parallelism to form .a pair of jaws, a filler plate fully occupyin the space between the flanges over the length of each of the jaws, and upwardly on the handle an appreciable distance beyond the jaws, at least one of the filler plates extending substantially inwardly of the other beyond the jaws, a pair of ears consisting of short pins extending through webs of the channels near the ends of the jaws, and joined to the filler plates in such manner that the inside surfaces of the jaws are clear and unobstructed, a bridge pin constituting atongue pivot, welded into at least one of the jaws and traversing the space therebetween at a distance back 1, 5 14,02 4' Stacy Nov. 4, 1924 Name Date Stacy May 19, 1925 Carr Dec. 2, 1930 Oberhofiken May 27, 1941 Ramsey et a1 Dec. 2, 1924 Jandus Sept. 13, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Dec. 1, 1934 

